Kays Translations

Chapter 31: Living with Iron

"Fine."

Lutz's reply was really simple. He spoke so lightly that I wondered if he really understood what he was saying.

Right now, Lutz's workshop had four people, Gerhard and Borvis, Lutz and Claudia.

“Lutz, are you sure you want to do this? This deal could be a leak of your proprietary technology."

When Gerhard asked anxiously, Lutz waved his hand and smiled.

“What's the point of having the person who approached you say something like that?"

"That's, well, true, but ......"

“Even if you have your own technology, you can’t do business within the castle walls, so it doesn’t make much sense to monopolize it. And ......"

"What is it?"

“Even if the method of making swords spreads, I am still the best.”

Lutz said proudly.

I don't see any arrogance there. There is only confidence backed by achievements.

"Please, I would be grateful."

Borvis lowered his head and Lutz nodded deeply.

Thus, Lutz and his colleagues went to the blacksmith shop, where they were shown sword-making in action, with explanations.

The heated steel is pounded into flat plates, which are then broken into small pieces. The broken plates are stacked and heated red-hot again to make one lump. While beating to remove impurities, a slit is made with a trowel, folded over, and then beaten again.

…Everything Borvis saw was new. The iron was coming to life right in front of his eyes. It had been many years since I had watched someone else's work in such detail.

I couldn't concentrate much while explaining and working while being watched, and the finished sword was a decent one.

Still, Borvis was pleased with his encounter with the new technology.

At a later date, Lutz was invited to Borvis workshop, and the technical exchange ended with a hands-on demonstration of the production of Western-style swords.

"How is it, was it helpful?"

Gerhard asked, and Borvis answered with a bewitching glint in his eye.

"It's an interesting, very interesting technique. The life of a craftsman is never a dull moment."

“I agree. Sometimes you just don't find the right thing and it smolders. I have, and so have you."

"I'm sure that was also a necessary period of time. To burn violently after smoldering. It may have been a roundabout way, but nothing was wasted. I now feel that heaven, earth, God, and I are one!”

He is too excited and the tension is not right. Gerhard decided to keep quiet from experience, not to provoke Borvis badly at a time like this.

“Even so, that young man, even if I taught him how to make it, he would say that he was the best anyway.”

“… Well, he’s actually been making famous swords. Overconfidence is unsightly, but if it matches your ability, it’s dignified.”

"What the hell, you're praising a young guy. Why don't you say something more old-fashioned and hateful. Young people these days, or something like that."

“I like young people a lot. They are the future, and I love them.”

“I wonder if I could have said that if I had brought up my apprentice well. Although I gave up my master's position, he is not cute or anything.”

"He had a terrible master."

Gerhard shook his shoulders and laughed, and Borvis caught on and started laughing too.

“…I'm getting old, and there's just so much I want to do, one thing after another. Maybe I'm happy."

A lonely shadow seemed to fall on the profile of Borvis as he said this. Gerhard felt that if he said it out loud, it would become a reality, so he could not say anything.

For some time after that, Borvis remained holed up in his workshop.

The equipment in the smithy has been modified so that it can also be used to create swords.

The first one was nothing more than a hunk of iron.

The second was just an iron bar.

The third sword, although it took shape, failed to harden and the blade cracked.

If he did not understand something, he immediately went to Lutz to ask. Perhaps under pressure from Borvis's enthusiasm, Lutz was also generous in sharing what he could.

The fourth one, although by no means well made, was the first katana I was able to make.

It is true that I am not far behind Lutz in experience in sword making. However, I have decades of experience working with steel. I will never be able to make the same thing as Lutz. However, I am sure that I can make a sword that makes the most of my own unique qualities.

I started working on the fifth one. I have come to understand what it is to breathe to strike iron.

I was captivated by the flying sparks, and in the ecstatic space, I had a feeling that a masterpiece would be created. This moment is a pleasure that only first-class craftsmen can feel.

I can't wait to see the masterpieces and meet the great swords. With these thoughts in mind, the hand that wields the hammer becomes faster.

"Ugh, ugh ......!"

Suddenly, a sharp pain pierced through his heart, and Borvis held his chest and crouched down.

……It's okay, it's okay. If you stay calm like this, the pain should eventually go away. However, just today, the pain continued to gouge my heart.

"Gofu, goho..."

I coughed violently and repeatedly. I coughed loudly and on the beat of the cough, I felt something tear in my chest with a bite.

I looked at my right hand and saw that it was covered in a sticky coating of vomitous blood.

I was going to die, that much was clear to me. But why now?

You have not yet created the best swing of your life. You have just found what you want to do.

"God, please don't deny me my life. Just a little more time, just a little more ......"

No, time would have been enough. Is this the punishment for all the wasted time I spent clinging to that position as a master?

With tears of frustration and bitterness, he reaches for the sword lying on the floor.

The moment my fingertips touched the unfinished sword, I understood everything.

No, this is completion. I am not going to die without accomplishing anything, I am just going to finish my task and leave..

“Gerhard and Lutz, you will take care of the rest. This is what I asked for…”

With a thud, Borvis's old body collapsed. There was no pain or regret on his face, only a satisfied smile.

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